Is Coconut Oil Really Beneficial?

You ask a keralite about coconut oil, he would vouch for it. So do the phillippinos. Oxford’s early studies on this oil are definitely in its favour.

Team@CMHF

A coconut oil truck driving down the street is something we’d likely see in the Philippines, but less likely in the United States. Perhaps they know something we don’t know about coconut oil. Studies have reported that consumption of Coconut Oil naturally has a positive effect on the treatment for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Type I and II Diabetes, Cancer and Hypothyroidism. The overall affects from consumption reports that coconut oil will “boost metabolism and raise body temperatures to promote thyroid health. Coconut oil’s other positive side effect? Raising cholesterol levels, which in turn can be a good thing depending upon which level is being raised. These reports are according to one study performed by Oxford University in 1996

Alzheimer’s: As little as 30 grams per day has been shown to notably improve memory and assist in comprehension when consumed by Alzheimer’s patients.

Cholesterol: Assists in raising our HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) which is a good thing.

Metabolism: The thyroid is primarily targeted as the beneficiary of coconut oil.
So what about clinical studies on Coconut oil? Other than one study from Oxford University performed in 1996 using baby chicks as their subject and plenty of personal testimonies, the jury is still out. According to WebMD.com, clinical studies supporting to consumption of this saturated fat have not been fully performed or submitted for a peer review:

“The evidence that coconut oil is super-healthful is not convincing and these claims appear to be more testimonials than clinical evidence. Dietary Guidelines suggest that coconut oil is as good as or preferable over other saturated fats. Coconut oil, like all saturated fats, should be limited to 7%-10% of calories because it can increase risk for heart disease, according to the AHA and 2010 Dietary Guidelines.”

Aside from all the hype, knowing and understanding exactly what Coconut oil is comprised of and scientifically how it breaks down in our system is probably the best way to comprehend its possible benefits or downside

What seems to baffle me is one thing: If coconut oil is widely part of a Philippine diet then heart disease, cancer, Type II Diabetes, Thyroid disease and obesity would seemingly be less like in this ethnic group, yet it is not albeit, a lot of Philippine cuisine consists of fried foods (much like American cuisine). If the food is fried in coconut oil, then it shouldn’t matter, or should it?

Until a full peer review and clinical study by a board of medical researchers has been performed on the benefits, side effects and consumption of coconut oil I personally think it’s mostly, hype